Gary Meers, Ed.D.

About me

I am an Education Advisor/Consultant for MaxKnowledge. I write courses that assist in the professional development of career college instructors. These courses range in content from the introductory level to advanced instructional development. I started my teaching career as an instructional technology teacher on the high school level, completed graduate school and then moved into higher education. I spent many years in the area of teacher training at the University of Nebraska. While at the University of Nebraska I stared working with career college instructors to improve their instructional delivery skills. As a result of these experiences I have been a consultant to career colleges throughout the United States and a number of foreign countries.

Activity

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Eulalia, You are right on target with your use of the different instructional delivery categories to accommodate the different learning preferences of students. By offering a couple of different avenues you are spreading out the opportunity for students to learn in their preference areas. This is what targeted instructional planning is about. Keep up your efforts and you will continue to experience success with your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reinforcement as Motivation

Hi Sheri, As you know students really like it when instructors share life experiences with them. It shows the students that the instructors have been out there and been successful in their field. This really helps with earning the respect of the students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reinforcement as Motivation

Hi Nacole, I agree with you about the use of games with adults. My students really enjoy when we play games as it gives them a mental break yet they are using the knowledge they have been covering. They make for great review since they are fun, fast paced and competitive and beneficial. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

Hi Shamala, What are the forms of feedback that your students seem to value most? Thanks for your input on this. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Blog

Don't Become a Babysitter

Don’t become a babysitter. This “fun” function emerges when certain students see you as a person that they can burden with their own personal baggage. You are there as a professional educator and unless you are running a childcare program you are not to be a babysitter. Many new instructors slip into this role without even knowing it. Encouragement, support, and fairness are what you must provide, not enablement. Make sure your students know you are there to support them but always maintain a professional relationship so they will see you as an educator not a person that will do… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Preparing and Delivering Effective Lectures

Hi Yuk, Right you are. If you speak too long your students will start to drift away and not pay attention to the key points of your lecture. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Tanya, Good for you. Your approach is innovative and supportive of the learning needs of your students in a subject area that is not at the top of their "to learn" list. Sounds like you make it fun for them while still getting your content across. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Jay, Good approach. Talk about making it personal. If they can't see application of what they are to their own bodies then they are, I am guessing going to have a hard time being students. They have walking laboratories to learn upon, themselves. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Hi Jeanette, This is so important. Most instructors know this but sometimes in the haste to prepare and teach they forget to practice it. By making students feel accepted and comfortable they can keep the students engaged and this leads to higher retention and completion. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Victor, Well said. Make an impact from the very first day and you will have a continuing opportunity to keep your students engaged. Gary

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